The Coliseum’s story begins in 72 AD, when the Roman Emperor Vespasian commissioned the Coliseum.

Vespasian’s son Titus had the honor of opening the Coliseum 8 years later (80 AD) and celebrated the historic event with 100-days of bloody battles.

The first 100-days of events weren’t all vicious gladiator battles…between the blood and gore the Emperor stuck a few theater productions on the Coliseum’s event calendar.

A few centuries later in 404 AD Emperor Honorius put an end to the gruesome gladiator duels and from 476 to 1453 AD the Coliseum deteriorated from lack of use.

In the 16th Century, the Coliseum was used as a quarry and its stones were removed to build cathedrals like St. Peter’s Basilica.

It wasn’t until the 19th century that the Coliseum was preserved.

Scott ready to close the day with a bottle of wine.

The perfect end to a perfect day.

One last glimpse of Rome's most famous icons.

A walk in the park.

Grrr.

Italian advertising.

Flowers basking in the sun.

Cherie by a fountain.

Police!

Piazza.

Is that pigeon permanent?

Side-walk art in Rome.

Man of stone.

The "Mouth of Truth".

Liars beware: don't let the "Mouth of Truth" bite your hand off.

A political rally for Bertinotti for President.

Passionate Italians show up to support Bertinotti.

Where's Cherie?

There's Cherie...watching a political rally in Rome.

Italians rally for change.

Standing room only.

A rally, Roman-style.

Rome.

Waiting for the church to open.

Scott Sussman, a friend back from high school, now teaches English in Rome.

Gazing over the "Eternal City."

Make a wish!

Cherie writes: Join me (and my friend Scott Sussman) and walk through the sun drenched Roman Forum. Relive the historic days of the Roman Empire while sipping wine with us on a grassy knoll by the Coliseum. Wander with me through the cobbled-streets of Rome where Scott and I stumbled through the side-walk art and fountains of the piazzas and found a passionate political rally. If you dare, put your hand in “the Mouth of Truth.” If you’re lying, Moses will bite it off! Luckily both Scott and I still have all our appendages! No matter where you travel, there’s no place like Rome.
History Review: The Coliseum’s story begins in 72 AD, when the Roman Emperor Vespasian commissioned the Coliseum. Vespasian’s son Titus had the honor of opening the Coliseum 8 years later (80 AD) and celebrated with 100-days of bloody events. The first 100-days of events weren’t all vicious gladiator battles…between the blood and gore the Emperor stuck a few theater productions on the Coliseum’s event calendar.

A few centuries later in 404 AD Emperor Honorius put an end to the gruesome gladiator duels and from 476 to 1453 AD the Coliseum deteriorated from lack of use. In the 16th Century, the Coliseum was used as a quarry and its stones were removed to build cathedrals like St. Peter’s Basilica. It wasn’t until the 19th century that the Coliseum was preserved.